Mumbai Makeover

By Murari Chaturvedi

Suddenly everybody is talking about the urgent need of putting the chaotic situation in order in Mumbai. This is not the first time, nor it is going to be last, when periodic spasms of politicians, civic administrators and highly placed vested interests, erupt for the makeover of this urbs prima of the country. Many theories, projections and plans are thrown periodically for public consumption for changing the face of slums infected Mumbai. But the fact is that Mumbai is on life support system and the main cause of this is the whoopingly high corrupt political system and incompetent, unaccountable civic administration. The biggest tragedy is that there is no leadership, in government or in civic body to honestly address the ills facing Mumbai. A dynamic person who can give result oriented performance is the need of the hour. Infrastructure and open spaces should have been given top priority. High rise high end towers, malls, multiplexes, entertainment plazas will not change the chaotic Mumbai but good quality wide roads, effective sewage system, open spaces for public and social housing can make positive impact on the quality of life in this city of opportunities. The biggest folly is that before passing of the plans of grandiose buildings there is no impact assessment study of the area. This is must for providing adequate infrastructure in the developing areas. The biggest anarchy exist in slum rehabilitation front. A hordes of profit seekers have jumped in this field in the garb of developers, who have no background of real estate development. The free housing to illegal encroachers will not work in long terms. Instead the government must encourage a mortgage system for urban poor. At the same time social housing must be on the top of agenda for MHADA. It has land, professionals and resources to do so. There are virtually no green spaces for this over crowded city, which is claustrophobic. At no cost the green areas, be sacrificed to aid greedy development. Mumbai can rise and develop as a world class city, all it requires is political honesty and determined leadership to implement the schemes for Mumbai.

Posted on 19th April  2006